JOB DESCRIPTION

PROJECT

Integrated Shelter, Food Security and Livelihoods Support for Safe, Dignified and Sustainable Return in Abul Thohur (Idleb) and Madiq Castle (Hama)

DUTY STATION

Idlib, Syria, with regular field visits to project locations

ABOUT THE PROJECT

IHH is implementing an integrated humanitarian and early-recovery project funded by the OCHA Syria Humanitarian Fund (SHF), supporting safe, dignified and sustainable return in Abul Thohur, Idleb Governorate, and Madiq Castle, Hama Governorate.

The project combines shelter rehabilitation, winterization and Core NFI assistance, cash assistance for food, bakery rehabilitation and subsidized bread provision, agricultural support for returning wheat farmers, and rehabilitation of community irrigation infrastructure. These complementary interventions aim to address urgent household needs, restore essential infrastructure and support agricultural livelihoods and community recovery.

JOB SUMMARY

IHH is seeking a qualified and experienced FSAL Project Officer to coordinate and oversee the day-to-day implementation, monitoring and reporting of the project's Food Security and Agriculture/Livelihoods (FSAL) activities.

The position will focus on cash assistance for food, bakery rehabilitation and subsidized bread provision in Abul Thohur, and agricultural support for returning wheat farmers and irrigation-related interventions in Madiq Castle. The FSAL Project Officer will ensure that activities are implemented in accordance with the approved project proposal, work plan, budget, targeting criteria and relevant technical and donor requirements.

The successful candidate will coordinate with Field Assistants, Agronomists, the Field Engineer, finance, procurement, logistics and monitoring staff, as well as beneficiaries, service providers and relevant local authorities. The role will require regular field visits, effective follow-up of implementation progress, oversight of beneficiary selection and verification, monitoring of activity quality and results, and timely preparation of reports.

The FSAL Project Officer will report to the Project Manager and contribute to effective coordination across project components, ensuring that implementation challenges are identified promptly and that activities achieve their intended results in a transparent, accountable and timely manner.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Planning and Implementation

· Lead the day-to-day planning, coordination and follow-up of FSAL activities in accordance with the approved project proposal, logical framework, work plan, budget and implementation schedule.

· Prepare and regularly update activity plans, implementation schedules and field follow-up plans in coordination with the Project Manager and relevant technical and support teams.

· Coordinate the implementation of cash assistance for food, bakery rehabilitation and subsidized bread provision, agricultural support for returning wheat farmers, and irrigation-related interventions.

· Monitor implementation progress against approved outputs, indicators, targets and timelines, identifying delays, operational constraints and implementation gaps.

· Conduct regular field visits to verify implementation progress, engage with beneficiaries and field teams, and follow up on outstanding actions.

· Ensure that activities are implemented in line with approved procedures, eligibility criteria, technical requirements and donor conditions.

· Identify operational risks and propose corrective measures to the Project Manager when implementation deviates from approved plans.

· Ensure effective coordination between FSAL activities and other project components, particularly where agricultural interventions, irrigation rehabilitation and shelter-related activities require joint planning.

Food Security and Cash Assistance

· Coordinate the implementation and follow-up of cash assistance for food, ensuring that activities are delivered in accordance with approved targeting criteria, transfer arrangements and implementation schedules.

· Coordinate with the designated Financial Service Provider (FSP), finance team and relevant project staff to support the timely and orderly delivery of cash assistance.

· Oversee beneficiary identification, registration and verification processes in coordination with the field team, ensuring transparent selection and accurate documentation.

· Monitor the implementation of cash assistance, identify delivery challenges and follow up on unresolved cases or discrepancies with the relevant teams.

· Ensure that beneficiaries receive clear information regarding eligibility, assistance arrangements, delivery schedules and feedback and complaints channels.

· Review field monitoring findings and beneficiary feedback to identify implementation gaps and recommend appropriate follow-up.

· Maintain accurate activity records and supporting documentation for verification, reporting and donor compliance.

Bakery Rehabilitation and Subsidized Bread Provision

· Coordinate the programme implementation and operational follow-up of bakery rehabilitation and subsidized bread activities in Abul Thohur.

· Work closely with the Field Engineer to ensure that rehabilitation progress, technical requirements and completion milestones are followed up and that engineering issues are referred to the responsible technical staff.

· Coordinate with relevant service providers, bakery operators, local authorities and other stakeholders as required for implementation.

· Follow up on the availability and delivery of approved inputs, including wheat flour and operational support, in coordination with procurement, logistics and finance teams.

· Monitor subsidized bread provision against approved arrangements, including the quantities delivered, distribution records, operational continuity and intended beneficiary reach.

· Review implementation records and field observations to identify supply, operational or delivery challenges and report them to the Project Manager.

· Ensure that records relating to bakery rehabilitation, operational support and subsidized bread provision are complete, accurate and properly maintained.

Agricultural Support and Livelihoods

· Coordinate the implementation of agricultural support activities targeting returning wheat farmers in Madiq Castle, in accordance with approved project plans and eligibility criteria.

· Work closely with Agronomists to plan field activities, follow up on beneficiary selection and verification, and monitor the delivery of agricultural inputs and related technical guidance.

· Ensure that agricultural assistance is provided to eligible beneficiaries and documented in accordance with approved procedures.

· Monitor progress against planned targets and schedules, following up on delays, supply constraints, beneficiary concerns and other implementation challenges.

· Coordinate with the Agronomists to collect information on activity progress, beneficiary participation, delivery records and emerging agricultural needs.

· Support the organization and follow-up of agricultural awareness sessions or technical guidance activities included in the approved project plan.

· Facilitate coordination with farming communities, local authorities and relevant agricultural stakeholders to support implementation and resolve operational issues.

· Ensure that beneficiary records, input distribution documents and field monitoring information are complete and available for reporting and verification.

· Refer technical agricultural questions and recommendations to the Agronomists rather than making specialized agronomic decisions outside the position's responsibilities.

Irrigation Infrastructure Rehabilitation

· Coordinate the programme-level implementation and follow-up of community irrigation infrastructure rehabilitation in Madiq Castle.

· Work closely with the Field Engineer to align field implementation schedules, community engagement and operational requirements with the approved rehabilitation plan.

· Monitor overall progress against agreed milestones and report delays, access constraints, community concerns or other implementation challenges.

· Facilitate communication with farmers, community representatives and relevant local authorities regarding planned works and implementation arrangements.

· Support coordination around irrigation water access and distribution arrangements in consultation with the relevant technical staff and stakeholders.

· Ensure that field observations, community feedback and implementation updates are documented and communicated to the Project Manager.

· Refer engineering assessments, designs, Bills of Quantities, technical specifications and construction quality concerns to the Field Engineer.

Team Coordination and Field Supervision

· Provide day-to-day task coordination and programme guidance to Field Assistants supporting FSAL activities.

· Coordinate with Agronomists and the Field Engineer to ensure clear division of responsibilities, consistent field follow-up and timely resolution of implementation issues.

· Review field updates, activity records and reports submitted by Field Assistants and relevant technical staff, following up on incomplete information or outstanding actions.

· Organize regular activity follow-up meetings with the relevant team members to review progress, discuss challenges and agree on corrective actions.

· Ensure that field staff understand activity objectives, eligibility requirements, documentation procedures and reporting deadlines.

· Coordinate with finance, procurement, logistics and MEAL staff to ensure that operational requirements, monitoring arrangements and documentation are addressed in a timely manner.

· Escalate significant performance, operational, financial or compliance concerns to the Project Manager.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Reporting

· Monitor FSAL activities against the approved logical framework, indicators, targets, means of verification and implementation schedule.

· Ensure that beneficiary selection, registration, verification and activity records are complete, consistent and properly documented.

· Coordinate with MEAL staff to support activity monitoring, beneficiary feedback collection, post-assistance monitoring and other required monitoring exercises.

· Review monitoring findings and field feedback to identify implementation gaps, assess progress and recommend improvements.

· Prepare timely, accurate and evidence-based activity reports, progress updates and inputs for donor reporting.

· Maintain updated activity-tracking tools and ensure that supporting documents, beneficiary records, distribution lists and monitoring evidence are properly archived.

· Ensure that feedback and complaints received during implementation are documented, referred and followed up through established procedures.

· Document implementation challenges, lessons learned and good practices to support programme quality and informed decision-making.

Budget Monitoring, Coordination and Compliance

· Monitor activity implementation against approved budget lines and planned expenditures in coordination with the Project Manager and finance team.

· Coordinate with procurement and logistics teams to ensure that procurement, supplies, service delivery and operational arrangements support timely implementation.

· Review activity-related documentation and identify discrepancies or potential compliance concerns for follow-up with the relevant departments.

· Ensure that activities and related expenditures remain within the approved project scope and follow established authorization procedures.

· Maintain effective working relationships with local authorities, community representatives, service providers and relevant humanitarian actors.

· Participate in relevant coordination meetings and stakeholder engagements as assigned by the Project Manager.

· Support information sharing and coordination with relevant sector actors to promote complementarity and avoid duplication of assistance.

Protection, Safeguarding and Accountability

· Ensure that FSAL activities are implemented in accordance with the principles of impartiality, non-discrimination, accountability to affected populations and do no harm.

· Promote transparent beneficiary selection and equitable access to assistance, with appropriate attention to vulnerable and marginalized households.

· Ensure that beneficiaries receive clear information about eligibility criteria, assistance modalities and feedback mechanisms.

· Coordinate with the designated GBV Programme Focal Point and other relevant staff to identify and address protection risks associated with project activities.

· Comply with IHH's Code of Conduct, safeguarding policies, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) procedures and confidentiality requirements.

· Ensure that sensitive complaints, safeguarding concerns and other incidents are reported and referred through established organizational channels.

· Promote responsible data management and ensure that beneficiary information is collected, stored and shared only for authorized purposes.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

· Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Agronomy, Economics, Business Administration, Development Studies or another relevant discipline.

· At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in implementing or coordinating humanitarian Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL/FSAL) activities.

· Demonstrated experience in at least one of the following areas: cash-based food assistance, agricultural support, livelihoods programming or food security interventions. Experience across multiple areas is an advantage.

· Experience in activity planning, field implementation, beneficiary selection and verification, monitoring, documentation and reporting.

· Experience coordinating with field teams, technical specialists, service providers, local authorities and community representatives.

· Familiarity with beneficiary accountability, feedback and complaints mechanisms, protection mainstreaming and safeguarding principles.

· Experience working with local or international humanitarian organizations in Syria is strongly preferred.

· Experience with donor-funded projects and familiarity with donor compliance and reporting requirements are an advantage.

· Strong organizational, analytical, communication and problem-solving skills.

· Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word. Familiarity with digital data-collection and monitoring tools is an advantage.

· Ability to analyze field information, prepare clear reports and follow up on implementation issues.

· Ability to conduct regular field visits and work effectively in a challenging operational environment.

· Fluency in Arabic and excellent proficiency in English, both written and spoken, are essential. Knowledge of Turkish is an advantage.

CORE COMPETENCIES

· Planning, coordination and implementation of FSAL activities.

· Food security, cash assistance and livelihoods programme follow-up.

· Coordination of agricultural support and irrigation-related interventions.

· Operational monitoring and results-based reporting.

· Beneficiary verification, documentation and accountability.

· Team coordination and stakeholder engagement.

· Analytical thinking, problem-solving and attention to detail.

· Organization, time management and ability to prioritize competing tasks.

· Integrity, confidentiality and commitment to humanitarian principles.

· Compliance with safeguarding, PSEA and protection requirements.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The position will be based at the IHH Idlib Office, with regular field visits to Abul Thohur, Idleb Governorate, and Madiq Castle, Hama Governorate, according to project implementation needs. The successful candidate must be able to coordinate effectively with field teams, beneficiaries, service providers and local stakeholders and travel to project locations when required.